When conducting interviews, keep the following in mind:

Ditch the recorder and bring a note taker. A recorder may cost you the openness and conversation-like flow that the interview should have. Designate another person to sit in and take notes. That way, you won't be slowing things down by documenting the conversation yourself. In addition, this provides for two people to corroborate the statements made.
Tell the witness your objective ahead of time. This will lower anxiety, increase trust and get to the point more directly than if the subject is responding vaguely or defensively while trying to understand your motives. Say, "I'd like to meet with you tomorrow to ask you some questions and get a better understanding of the procurement process. You'll be helping me respond to an inquiry from executive management."
Bring relevant documents. Most fraud claims are established through documents and supporting evidence. Often, documents like company procurement or payment approval forms must be explained.
Keep things open. Ask open-ended questions, and let your interviewee tell the story. Allow for silences between answers. Silences are uncomfortable, and many people fill them by answering unasked questions or revealing additional information.
Be direct. You should ask direct questions around the main allegations. The most important question: Did you do it? Most interviewers aren't so upfront with their line of questioning, either because they feel it may be rude, they want to give the subject the benefit of the doubt or they don't feel they have enough evidence pieced together. Avoid this mistake. Asking this question accomplishes much:
- If guilty, it will make most interview subjects noticeably uncomfortable,
- It locks the subject into providing a statement, and
- It can quickly give you new information.

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